Israeli Attacks in Response to Ceasefire Violations
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Saturday that it conducted strikes across Gaza in retaliation for what it termed a breach of ceasefire—specifically, the escape of eight militants from an underground facility near Rafah.
According to the IDF, the operations targeted four Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders, additional fighters, and a weapons storage site. They also reported attacking a weapons manufacturing facility and two launch sites in central Gaza.
A hospital operated by Hamas in Gaza reported at least 30 Palestinian fatalities from these strikes, as per information from the Associated Press.
USA Special Envoy Witoff mentioned in Miami talks that discussions will focus on establishing a “unified Gaza autonomous government” as efforts toward a ceasefire continue.
The hospital confirmed that among the deceased were civilians, including two women and six children from different families. A police station in Gaza City was also struck, leading to at least 14 deaths and several injuries, according to Shifa Hospital’s Director, Mohammed Abu Selmiya.
This assault followed Israel’s accusation that Hamas violated the ceasefire. Israeli military representatives said airstrikes were a direct consequence of those violations but did not disclose specific targets.
The violence erupted just before the planned reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, viewed as a significant step in the latest phase of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire. This phase aims for a limited border reopening, efforts to disarm Gaza, and discussions regarding post-conflict governance.
Israel expressed concerns that the Rafah border could be used for arms smuggling by Hamas, asserting that any reopening would include security measures.
Casualties and Underlying Tensions
In a serious breach of the ceasefire, two IDF soldiers lost their lives, with analysts warning that this situation may not be a one-time event.
Currently, the IDF reports that it has attacked Hezbollah infrastructure and construction vehicles in southern Lebanon, claiming Hezbollah is attempting to reconstruct terrorist facilities against previously established agreements with Israel.
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli military official indicated that the IDF largely supports the Gaza Health Ministry’s reported death toll from the ongoing conflict, estimating around 70,000 Gazans have died since the war began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, as referenced by The Times of Israel.
As of now, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports a total of 71,667 deaths, which includes over 450 fatalities since the ceasefire that commenced in October 2025. However, Israeli officials argue this figure does not account for bodies thought to be trapped under debris.
Since the ceasefire’s initiation on October 10, the ministry claims that Israeli forces have killed 509 Palestinians through shelling.
A health ministry representative announced that Israel returned the remains of 15 Palestinians recently, just a few days after recovering the last Israeli hostage, marking the conclusion of the first phase of the ceasefire’s hostage exchanges.
